Sewage bills a mess in Scott Twp.

You might want to look at your sewage bills a little more closely, especially if you live in Scott Township.

Pennsylvania American Water Co. discontinued billing for sewer service this fall, with municipalities taking over the task. But the transition has not been a smooth one.

“It is a total mess,” stated Tom Castello, president of Scott Township’s Board of Commissioners, at the board’s regular meeting on April 23. He said about half the residents are receiving sewer bills that are correct, but the rest are getting bills that are wrong. Castello commented they even had one owner of an empty lot with no water line receive a sewer bill.

Scott resident Pat Martin told the board that her latest bill had a 300-gallon water overcharge, along with a $19.79 refund, which Martin said she should not have received.

Martin said that her billing cycle starts on the first of the month, while the neighbor to one side of her has a billing cycle that starts on the sixth of the month, and the neighbor on the other side has a cycle that starts on the 12th.

“And all of our meters get read on the same day,” stated Martin.

Adding to the confusion, Martin said the billing cycle can range anywhere from 28 to 32 days.

Township manager Denise Fitzgerald said the sewer bills are generated from water company data, and the municipality is working with the water company to try to resolve the billing issues. “We’ve submitted all the data we have to the water company for them to analyze and help us solve the problem,” Fitzgerald said.

To gear up for summer and pool season, the board awarded the contract for operation of the concession stand at Scott Pool to Sean Walsh, owner of Nobby’s Pizza on Vanadium Road. The five-year contract is effective May 1, 2013. Also approved was the replacement of the swimming pool pump, accepting V-Systems proposal for $1,740.

The board also approved the hiring of Ron Ellis as pool manager and aquatics director, Monica Gigliotti as assistant pool manager, numerous lifeguards, swim instructors and other pool personnel, as well as the hiring of William Evans as recreation director.

In other business, the board unanimously approved entering into a 25-year lease agreement with Chartiers Terrace Housing Association that will allow a portion of Chartiers Terrace property to be used as a ball field. Scott Township will pay an annual rent of $100 for use of the field.